How to Ditch VoIP: Save Money, Keep the Calls

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems have become popular communication solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. However, the associated costs, including subscription fees, equipment expenses, and maintenance headaches may have you looking for VoIP alternatives.

Maybe you’ve thought about letting everyone use their own cell phones, but you’re concerned that dead zones in your building will result in communication you can’t rely on. In this article, we’ll explore VoIP alternatives that can solve your cellular connectivity issues, so you can ditch VoIP, save money, and still communicate effectively.

The best of both worlds – imagine that.

The limitations of VoIP

While VoIP has gained popularity, it is important to be aware of its limitations. VoIP relies on a stable internet connection to transmit voice calls, which means that any disruptions or fluctuations in your internet service can directly impact call quality. Here are some key limitations of VoIP to consider:

Internet dependency

VoIP relies on a reliable and high-speed internet connection. If your internet service provider experiences outages or if you’re in an area with poor internet coverage, your ability to make and receive calls can be severely affected. This can result in dropped calls, delays, and overall poor call quality.

Call quality issues

VoIP calls are susceptible to various factors that can degrade call quality. These include network congestion, bandwidth limitations, packet loss, latency, and jitter. If your internet connection is congested or experiencing technical issues, it can lead to choppy audio, echoes, and distorted voice during your conversations.

Power outages

During power outages, VoIP services may become unavailable unless you have backup power solutions in place. Traditional landline phones, on the other hand, can continue to function during power outages, ensuring uninterrupted communication.

Monthly subscriptions and extra charges

Many VoIP service providers offer their services through monthly subscriptions, which can add up over time. Additionally, certain features such as voicemail transcription, call recording, or international calls may come with additional charges, further increasing your expenses.

Emergency services

While most VoIP services provide access to emergency services, there may be limitations compared to traditional landline phones. VoIP relies on accurate location information, which can be challenging to determine accurately when using mobile devices or in cases where you’re using the service on multiple devices or locations.

Considering these limitations, it becomes evident that relying solely on VoIP may not be the ideal solution for those seeking consistent and reliable voice calls.

The benefits of ditching VoIP

There are several business benefits of VoIP alternatives, like mobile phones.

Cost savings

VoIP services usually come with recurring subscription fees, equipment costs, and maintenance expenses. By eliminating these expenses, you could save substantial money. The money you save can be reinvested in other areas of the business, such as marketing, employee training, or growth initiatives.

Flexibility and mobility

Ditching VoIP allows employees to use their own cell phones for business communication. This makes doing business more mobile and flexible, as employees can work from any location without being tethered to their desks. They can attend meetings, collaborate, and respond to customer inquiries while on the go. This flexibility can lead to improved work-life balance.

Efficient productivity

When employees can use their personal cell phones, their efficiency and productivity is enhanced in multiple ways. Employees are often more comfortable and proficient with their own devices, reducing the learning curve associated with using new equipment.

On their own devices, your staff can leverage the features and apps they are already familiar with, enabling them to get more done. Additionally, the ability to use text messaging (not a feature of VoIP) to communicate streamlines internal collaboration, mobility of files and assets, and information exchange.

Employee satisfaction Allowing employees to use their own cell phones for work can contribute to higher job satisfaction. People appreciate not having to carry and manage multiple phones. Improved flexibility and morale can contribute to employee retention.

Reduced equipment costs

VoIP systems require specific equipment, such as routers, switches, and the IP phones themselves. All this equipment can be expensive to establish and maintain, and new phones will need to be purchased for every employee. By relying on employees’ personal cell phones, you can eliminate the need for additional equipment costs. This saves money and simplifies your communication infrastructure.

Seamless integration

As long as your building has reliable cell coverage on all the carriers, moving away from VoIP to a cell phone-based communication system can be seamless and disruption-free. Employees can continue using their existing cell phones, minimizing the need for training or adjustment periods. This smooth integration ensures business continuity and avoids potential hiccups or resistance associated with adopting new technologies.

Scalability

As your business grows, scaling a VoIP system can be complex and costly. On the other hand, using personal cell phones allows for easy scalability. New employees can simply integrate their own devices into the communication system, without the need for additional equipment or infrastructure investment.

Increased customer satisfaction

You might not think that getting rid of VoIP would influence customer satisfaction, but it can. Reliable communication is crucial for customer satisfaction. By ensuring employees have reliable cell coverage (through the use of cell signal boosters, if necessary) you can avoid dropped phone calls, improve call quality, and provide a seamless customer experience. Satisfied customers are more likely to remain loyal and recommend your business to others, contributing to long-term success.

The importance of reliable cellular signal

One of the main challenges faced by businesses that rely on cell phones is unreliable coverage. Dropped sales calls and missed opportunities can undermine customer experience and lead to poor reviews, damaging the company’s reputation.

Furthermore, poor cell coverage negatively impacts productivity, hindering the smooth operation of apps, staff communication, and data transfer. Ultimately, this loss in productivity and missed opportunities can result in revenue loss.

What causes poor signal? Contrary to popular belief, it’s not usually your carrier’s fault. Most often, weak signal is caused by either distance from a tower (such as in rural or remote locations) or some kind of physical barrier. Those barriers may include:

• Building materials like concrete, steel, and energy-efficient windows
• Surrounding buildings and structures in an urban environment
• Natural obstructions like mountains, hills, and trees

There may also be occasional fluctuations in network traffic that affect bandwidth and impact your signal.

Also keep in mind that you have no control over which carrier your customers and visitors are on. You might have several different networks in use in your building at any one time, and some or all of them could have poor coverage inside. To rely on cellular coverage, you’ll need a booster system that is carrier-agnostic, meaning it works for all users regardless of carrier.

The VoIP alternative: cell signal boosters

Cell signal boosters from weBoost provide a permanent solution for reliable cell coverage. It amplifies cellular signals to enhance call quality, data speeds, and coverage.

A cell signal booster operates by capturing even weak outdoor signals from the nearest cell tower, amplifying them, and rebroadcasting them within a building. The stronger signal eliminates the frustrations of dropped calls and improves overall connectivity.

One of the best features of a weBoost cell signal booster is that it serves every user and device in the building, no matter what carrier they use. This is called being carrier agnostic, and it eliminates the need to purchase new phones for your employees or worry about compatibility issues with different carriers.

While there is a one-time investment in the booster system, there are no ongoing subscription fees. This is a stark contrast to the recurring costs associated with VoIP systems. You’ll also avoid the hassle and expense of buying every employee a work phone on the same carrier.

Yes, you can ditch VoIP.

With a business cell signal booster from weBoost, you’ll have a cost-effective and reliable alternative to VoIP. Say goodbye to expensive VoIP systems and hello to cost-effective, reliable communication. Give us a call or visit our weBoost for Business page to find the solution that’s right for you.